I live by these songs. Through each and every walk to class, preparation for the night ahead, or studying, I really believe I was born in the wrong decade. Feeling like I'm in a movie is awesome because no one else around me knows what's going on in my head. Headphones and oldies are the best combination. But what really are the best songs? Who knows. Here are my favorite, in no particular order, and trust me, they're all so worth the listen.

1. "Let's Dance," David Bowie

In recent news, David Bowie passed away in January 2016 at age 69. Legendary. But he lives on because this song is the ultimate boost with "if you say run, I'll run with you." Who wouldn't want someone running away with them? Dance around your room in socks and your dad's old T-shirt. 11/10 experience. He makes you feel like a free spirit and a little sad you're single.

2. "Come On Eileen," Dexys Midnight Runners

Honestly, does this need an explanation? Picture the scene in "Perks of Being a Wallflower" where they're dancing at prom (or was is a homecoming?). How could you not imagine yourself doing that? It's a burst of 'I have no idea what he's really saying' with screaming the chorus because we all know it deep down. Three minutes of pretending you're starring in an 80s movie. The beat change also is amazing to run on the treadmill with. Trying to run with their pace: impossibly fun.

3. "Just Can't Get Enough," Depeche Mode

You're in love and you're also in a science fiction movie. It's how I feel dancing to this one. You could pull any dance move; no one can judge this one. It's the perfect mix of feeling like you're playing Mario Kart in 1981.

4. "In The Air Tonight," Phil Collins

Tarzan. I'm not as young as these songs may make me seem because I spent countless hours crying over Jane and Tarzan's forbidden love. Also, try running on the treadmill with this one because right when you think you'll kneel over and die of lack of oxygen, the drums bring you back to power. "It's all been a pack of lies." It's how I feel about a lot in life.

5. "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen

Learn the lyrics, yell the lyrics. It's really the only way to appreciate this song. So many emotions go into (not) hitting each note. It's the classic car ride jam. If you start singing it in public, chances are at least two people will join in with you; I've tested that. "Nothing really matters... to me," except this song.

6. "Vogue," Madonna

Are you not model material? Oh, just put this song on while getting ready so your speaker can have that distant calling of "vogue" so you feel like you're about to hit the runway. Feeling so feminine and fierce, it's the perfect prep song for the busy nights. "Let your body move to the music... go with the flow." After a few drinks, I am Madonna.

7. "Summer Of '69," Bryan Adams

Legendary summers don't always have to die. Just turn them into songs. And then let us younger generations pretend that we've been to drive-in movies and actually know how to play six-strings. The lucky few have endured through learning the basics and I applaud you. Best days of your life are happening now, but share them with Bryan Adams and blast the song in the summer with the windows down, but watch out for cops still. You aren't invincible, yet.

8. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," Whitney Houston

Doesn't matter if you sound like Whitney or not, sing it hard. Getting ready for a hot date? You're obviously going because you "wanna feel the heat with somebody." Through countless car rides with this blasting and a terrible voice sitting next to me, it's still so worth it. We all have this feeling, and if you're brave enough to embrace it, come on over and we will have a wine and Whitney night.

9. "Love Will Tear Us Apart," Joy Division

His voice is weird but who cares 'cause love will always tear us apart. It's an I-don't-care-so-stop-judging-me song to dance to. "Les Bains Douches" released in 1979 is a beautiful album to listen to when you just want to pretend 2016 is not the actual year we are living in. All the songs on the album "Unknown Pleasures" go right along with the album cover; not really sure how to describe, it unless you give it a listen.

10. "Just Like Heaven," The Cure

I don't even know how to describe this song. I make my dinners to it, and generally every Cure song there is, on a nightly basis. "I'll run away with you." Here we go again with some false hope in the love department but for whatever reason - I love it.

11. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Cyndi Lauper

Everyone knows it, so everyone sings it. Her voice is annoying but just imagine yourself with super curls and bright, blue eye shadow as you're lip syncing it. There's the spin-off joke from this song: "girls just want to have funds," and that's true to an extent, but I'd rather you dance to this and act like a fool with me. I won't record you, promise.

12. "Don't Stop Believin,'" Journey

Wow. More love songs than I realized, but this is a classic. And if you don't pretend to play air guitar, are you truly appreciating the music? I'm sure everyone has their memories with this song.

13. "Push It," Salt-N-Pepa

One hit wonder for your dance-filled evening. The lyrics don't even matter it's all the background music. It's so trying to be R&B, and compared to today, this is gold. Sorry, Drake and Future, sit down.

14. "Margaritaville," Jimmy Buffett

Tropical getaway? Close your eyes and imagine being on a boat with this song playing in the background; it's perfection. Jimmy, you're a strange-looking man as well. "Wasted away in Margaritaville." It sounds so much better than wherever you really are wasted away at right now.

15. "September," Earth, Wind, & Fire

Wanna feel even older and soulful? RIP to lead singer Maurice White: you were amazing live. This song is all about the trumpets. Next time you hear it, listen closely because how fun are those? Make a point to dance in September even without listening to this song, but even better if it's to it. It makes you want to love everyone within reach of you because, why the hell not?

16. "Super Freak," Rick James

We all know it, the beat especially. Just listen to it and then listen to the lyrics because they're amazingly strange.

17. "Billie Jean," Michael Jackson

How can we forget about this King of Pop? We can't. I don't care about your opinions of him, just listen to the music and pretend you're in the music video and dance like him. The hip thrust and moonwalk. We all will look like fools, but who cares because Billie Jean is not his lover.

18. "Beautiful Day," U2

Bono, you should have blessed us with free older music because it's so much better. But, good try. This song makes you feel like you're a superhero standing on the tallest building looking at the city you just saved while simultaneously remembering that your mom has your favorite meal at home waiting for you. It's full of happy emotions, all of them in one place.

19. "Wannabe," Spice Girls

Monumental. "If you really bug me, then I'll say bye." Confidence and knowing what you want is key and respect to you girls for making a song out of it. We all know it, especially from movies. Everything about it is so perky which is not what love is at all and I love it.

20. "Tainted Love," Soft Cell

All about tainted love and greedy girls and running away from them. Appreciate your man; don't be greedy. It's the perfect song to sing to yourself in the mirror or in the kitchen, again. The older music has a better, happier beat to it even if it's all about despair and living without love. Motivational without trying to be.

21. "Don't You (Forget About Me)," Simple Minds

We are all young and in love and trouble simultaneously. You know this song whether or not you want to. Not even sure why in God's name Billy Idol turned down the opportunity to sing this song and make it huge. That has to be a regret in his life. The ending scene of "The Breakfast Club" is enough to remember this song by.

22. "Hotel California," The Eagles

Living forever in a hotel? What could be so bad about that? I guess besides the fact that you can never actually leave. Yes, this song is a little bit older than the rest in this list, but who cares, it's still singable and just as lovable. Also, just look up anything related to The Eagles and you're set with a good playlist.

23. "Don't You Want Me," The Human League

Sing it to friends, family, or even strangers. That's the beauty of this music is mostly everyone knows it and knows some words. It's connecting people of all ages through music. But really, "don't you want me? You know I don't believe you when you say you don't need me." Find a guy friend and take turns in each part of the song; it works out perfectly. Sing it with passion because no one really listens to anything but the chorus anyways.

24. "Losing My Religion," REM

"Trying to keep up with you, but I don't think I can do it." Human nature with basically everything in life: relationships, school work, sleep schedules, etc. It's a slower song that creates the perfect movie feeling. Like when we were kids and a slow song would start playing while in the car, so we would look out the windows and pretend we were in a dramatic movie scene. It's a perfect melody. Maybe even slow dance to it, but when slow dancing, don't take the lyrics to heart because they're kind of depressing. Depressing, but I'm still forever in love with this song.

25. "Pour Some Sugar On Me," Def Leppard

Saw them live and let me just tell you, I was at least 30 years younger than the average age of the crowd. Best experience ever. And kudos to Rick Allen for staying and performing with only one arm on the drums. It's a bad-ass, reckless, 'I'll do what I want' song making us feel another type of invincible. It's also a classic that is used in movies forever, so don't miss out on this one.

These are only a small amount so I recommend exploring the vast selection more. And don't worry, I've made a playlist. But thank me later when stressful weeks turn into dance sessions with friends and good, old tunes. My dad is still shocked I know the words to the majority of what he grew up with. It's just more fun than today's selection. My personal favorites come from The Cure, for sure.